Pandronians

A light-green-skinned race of humanoid-appearing creatures native to the planet Pandro. Unlike virtually all other known humanoid species, however, Pandronians are actually "colony creatures" capable of functioning both as humanoids and as detachable, independently living components. In 2270 the United Federation of Planets granted the honorary Starfleet rank of commander to a Pandronian observer named Ari bn Bem, posting him aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise in a effort to foster further cultural, scientific and diplomatic exchanges between the Pandronians and the Federation.